"flat out"
If I want to convey to someone that I am extremely busy I would use an expression like "Flat out like a lizard drinking" or "Flat out like a biscuit".
Now I know I could probably say something like "Estoy muy ocupado" but is there perhaps a more, you know, upbeat Spanish expression I could use?
Or, alternatively, could I directly translate the above expressions? Or are they just too weird to translate?
Gracias amigos,
Annie.
7 Answers
I have just been told of this expression " yo trabajaba a saco"........I was working flat out. This is in the Canary Islands........how does it sound?
Hola Samdie!
We use "flat out" as an expression of speed as well - but moreso in relation to work/being stressed.
Anyway "Gotta run" on my way to work where I'll be flat out!
Annie.
Anne Sherwood said:
Hola Samdie!We use "flat out" as an expression of speed as well - but moreso in relation to work/being stressed.Anyway "Gotta run" on my way to work where I'll be flat out!Annie.
Actually, when I saw your post, Anne, I thought you meant KO, like in boxing. So, something like, very exhausted .
Aha! Slang from down under! I was surprised by your two expressions. They seem kind of cute (maybe a bit quaint) but I don't recollect ever having heard anything like them before. In the states we normally use "flat out" to mean going/running/swimming/etc as fast as one can. The essential idea is the speed rather than a notion of being busy.
We also have expressions (that do mean busy) that are quite similar to Heidita's "less favorite" ones but with reference to other body parts. Most commonly we would say "Up to my ears/eyeballs in work."
Gracias,
Son expresiones excelentes!
Annie
I can suggest:
"Estoy hasta arriba (de trabajo)"
"Estoy saturado"
"Estoy estresado"
Surely other contributions can be made
Your expressions can't be translated into Spanish
Vemaos, seguro que luego se me ocurre algo más:
Estoy más liado que la pata de un romano/la toga de un romano.
Estoy hasta las cejas/el cuello de trabajo.
La primera mi favorita.
